Unintentional struck by/struck against injury mortality in the United States, 1999-2006

Abstract

Our study described demographics and trend analysis in unintentional struck by/struck against fatalities in the United States from 1999 to 2006, and identifies the changes in deaths for specific population subgroups. Mortality data came from the CDC's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System. Trends during 1999-2006 were analyzed by gender, age group and race. Annual percentage change in deaths/rates and log-linear regression was used for time-trend analysis from 1999 to 2006, and examines its significance. During 1999-2006, there were 7,049 deaths; 6,236 (88.5%; 0.56 per 100,000) males, 6,180 (87.7%; 0.32 per 100,000) whites, and 1,925 (27.3%) aged 45-59 years. Overall deaths declined by 4.4% during 1999 to 2006 (P = 0.047 for time-related trend). The proportion of deaths was almost similar among males and females (1.1% vs. 0.3%; P = 0.58), and whites and blacks (0.8% vs. 0.7%; P = 0.44). Almost 21% of all deaths occur in only three states of the US i.e., Texas (n = 592; 0.35 per 100,000), California (n = 513; 0.18) and Florida (n = 375; 0.28). Sub-group analysis showed, injury mortality decreased 5% in males and 1% in females, this change was not statistically significant overtime in both sexes. Prevention efforts for struck by/struck against fatalities should be strengthened and surveillance for these deaths should continue to follow future trends.